A Polaroid SX-70...

...journey

Have you ever received one of those gifts that you've been dreaming of owning and really...REALLY want? Just...to have it not work?
Then you revert to a kicking, screaming child pouting adult that wishes they could kick and scream? 

This little beauty above is what all the fuss is about today.

 Needless to say, NOT having her work is especially upsetting when Frankie spent ALOT of time looking...and listening to me repeat, "Is it tested?"...often, as we researched the web for one.
I opened her on Chanukah & decided yesterday was a good day when I was shooting this vignette .

THIS is what I got...

INK BLOT

For those of you, like me, in the 50 something club, you'll know who The Coneheads are. If you are in the younger crowd and have never heard of SNL or The Coneheads...check them out HERE
The photo also reminds me of 2 women & a child(probably dragged) enjoying the theater (you have to say theater with a European accent) with 18th century pouf style coiffures.
  I inserted the film pack & the film cover didn't come out when I closed the film door. (My first inkling that things weren't going well) When I snapped the 1st pic, I got the film cover...hmmm ok...point, aim, shoot...wait...40 minutes. Originally, all I got was the 3 blue humps. 
(insert kicking & screaming) 
Long story short...it wasn't until Frankie woke up this morning and pulled the camera apart did he know what was wrong. 
In the meantime, "ink blot" photo kept going through the rollers...thus...The Coneheads...or poufs.

So...as of right now, a contact pin on the door that wasn't pressing the electrical contact when the film door snaps shut was made and is drying in a vice. Frankie had to leave for a 2 day trip and I have strict instructions to release the door from its grips tomorrow. Can you stand it yet? Don't you just want to know how it all turns out? Well I guess we'll all just have to wait and see how it all ends!
(I wonder if a Fujifilm Instax Mini 8 is my future?)
Stay tuned...
Happy (what does the ink blot say to you) snapping!
xo
Kelly

Finding inspiration...

...when you weren't even looking

I love it when I'm minding my own business & inspiration hits me. This post was completely made possible because of Austin's girlfriend, Amanda. She was knitting on the couch, minding her own business while she & Austin were plowing through Harry Potter movies on New Year's Eve. I'm not a knitter but couldn't get over how pretty the yarn was.
That's all it took.
 The next day, I was laying on the couch trying to take a nap, cause lets face it, I hate staying up past 10 and omg I stayed up to midnight the night before!
I just kept envisioning the yarn and needles and a vignette grew in my head. 

Amanda was sweet enough to indulge me, and left her knitting goodies with me. This morning, I went to Joannes as soon as they opened, bought yarn and BOOYA...25% off! I knew I wanted a wooden bowl & really wasn't in the mood to hunt for one or even spend money on one. I went 'house hunting' in my head as I was driving home and already had the perfect bowl the whole time. It's one I brought  back from Costa Rica years ago.

 My visions included trying low lights, something I'm not familiar with or even comfortable doing. But I figured it's a new year, try something new...as I'm telling myself there's no right or wrong...just do it.

So I did.

Truth be told...I also found & had to buy the scissors too. They're just too adorable and I've pretty much determined my passion lies in still life photography, so fun props are an absolute must. If my memory serves me right, my mom had a pair like this & I'm going to ask my SIL if by any chance they're still in my mom's sewing kit. That would an amazing find.

On a completely different subject, there's something about the words CARTE POSTALE that I adore.  And just in case you didn't know, useless fact #14 about me... I love anything French!

I'm playing over at Kim Klassen's sharing what I've found.

I hope inspiration finds all of you in 2015 whether looking for it or not.

Happy (creative) snapping!

xo

Kelly

Be our guest...

...be our guest

Are you on the "One Word" bandwagon?

I'm humbled but so excited to have been asked to guest post over on 

FocusingOnLife

writing about that very thing and would love for you to visit me there.

If you are considering choosing a word for 2015 and going my route wearing jewelry, I found my ring HERE
Sandra is a great ETSY shop owner, quick to respond and ship out your order.

Dear 2014,
Thank you for hearing my pleas for a quiet "breathable" year. You allowed time and space for my heart and soul to mourn, mend and heal. I feel it was time well spent and I am so ready to move forward.
To my blogging buddies who put up with my absences and yet still come 'round to hang out with me here, thank you...truly...You constantly amaze and inspire me to push forward with your words and photos. I wish only happiness and growth in the coming year for each of you. (big puffy heart)

Happy (one word) snapping

xo
Kelly

And just like a Lens baby blur...

...it's almost a new year

I for one never know where my year goes & I always remember my dad saying, "the older you get the faster time flies." But when your young, who thinks about that? I just gave my dad an obligatory nod and "ok dad" kind of smile and ran off to play...certainly not paying any mind to what I'd just heard. But here I am, recalling what I always heard. 

Today's photos were inspired simply by standing in line waiting to check out at Michaels and thumbing through this book PHOTOCRAFT

I stepped out of line to actually look at the whole book. I've got a Lens Baby composer tucked away, forever going back and forth to sell it or not. It's a completely different style of photography but I think I'm going to hang on to it, bring it out more often, play and experiment.

It's a little late in the day, but I'm playing over at Kim Klassen's today for Texture Tuesday.

I used her "Aurora" texture, linear burn @50%. I added Florabella's "waterlily, Modern Color, and Retro Lollipop all at very low opacities. Are YOU ready for the New Year? Are you on the "one word" band wagon? Hope you'll stop by tomorrow as I'm guest blogging over at FocusingOnLife

talking about that very thing.

Until then, 

Happy (blur) shooting!

xo

Kelly

From the cutting room...

...floor

So, hmmmm, I've been on a blog-hiatus. No excuses-but I think part of the reason is, I don't have a permanent space for my laptop. If I want to blog I have go, schlep my computer to the dining room table, plug it in, turn it on, wait...blah blah blah. I miss being here, I always do & am working on fixing this little problem. In the meantime, Here are some items that just never made it to the blog,
until now!

Back in Sept. we had to say good bye to a beautiful pine tree that provided shade and perches for the neighborhood crows, scrubs and owls. Drought ridden and beetle infested like so many others in the area.

We're hoping to get lots of rain this winter.

Back in Oct. I found a lone critter and released a beautiful female into the world.

Also in Oct, Frankie flew with a first officer who's son, Alex, loves trains and works for this guy...
Conductor Bill.

Bill owns a vintage 1940's train and pays Amtrak to pull his car from Union Station up to Santa Barbara. Period music and mimosa's greet you as you step up and back in time. A beautiful breakfast buffet is set up with homestyle food prepared in the train's original kitchen. You are wined and dined for the scenic 2 1/2 hr. ride. Once in Santa Barbara, we went wine tasting, enjoyed lunch and roamed for hours breathing in the fresh air of the ocean town.The ride home was a welcomed relief as it was one of the hottest days in SB-more wine and & homemade sliced trip tip, mashed potatoes and veges were served on china. Home made apple crisp rounded out our dinner.

As soon as we got back to Union Station, we headed off to the Staples Center to see Sir Elton in concert.

Useless fact #27-this was my first concert! Not a bad way to start huh?
The holidays have come and gone and I trust you all had a beautiful time with family and friends.
I'm thrilled to share with you all that I will be guest posting over on FocusingOnLife
in the VERY near future and hope you'll join me there. Details to follow soon.
That pretty much cleans up my vault. Phew...does that feel good!
I'll see you real soon...promise!
Happy (cleaning up) snapping!
xo
Kelly

Grateful for my place...

...in this life

I've spent the last week receiving  Michelle's thought provoking e-mails on gratitude and shared my purposeful gratefulness on IG. You just had to "show up with an open heart" & either in solitude or in community share what you are grateful for.

 This week I was most grateful for my surgeon's hands and modern medicine, for hero veterans, my dad & Frankie who served our country with honor, for TIME-the healer of all wounds, the color yellow, and for my 2014 word BREATH. 

Today, I'm grateful for my place in this life.

I am but one person wrapped tightly in many parts.

For all my roles:: as wife-my favorite,  as mother-that adjusts, shifts and morphs as we speak, as daughter-that has been re-defined, as sister-that was lost and re-ignited, as teacher, artist,

 monarch farmer, surrogate cat owner, photographer, woman, niece, friend, and blogger. 

For flaws, imperfections, the ability to laugh at myself, for optimism and hope...

...to each of these I am truly blessed and grateful for...with all of my heart.

I'd love to hear what you are giving thanks and grateful for.

Happy (grateful heart) snapping!

xo

Kelly

Hello...

...November

(even though we're 3 days in!)

As I was perusing through many of your blogs admiring the gorgeous colors adorning the screen as you welcome November, I found myself grumbling under my breath wishing for something we just don't have here in California...FALL. I can post photos to welcome any of the "4" seasons and they would all look the same. You can't tell winter from spring around here. I know...it's crazy. Most people would love to not have to deal with leaves falling and soon snow shoveling. 

I don't necessarily miss the snow...but the leaves....

...oh how I miss the annual wardrobe change Mother Nature displays for many of you. 

I'm whining...I know. I'm trying not to, really I am. 

I realize how absurd my thinking is so I'm making it my mission this month to be kinder and gentler to the season we've been gifted instead of wasting time wishing on something that isn't there. I'm going to "show up" in the here and now and be grateful. I think it's what our heart is feeling & and not so much what the weather is saying. 

So here's to ever green and palm trees and wearing sandals instead of boots, tank tops instead of scarves and drinking Frappuccino's a little longer instead of hot lattes. 

Happy (showing up) snapping!

xo

Kelly